LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to show the criteria and methods of studying plant remains useful for the knowledge of the environmental characteristics of the past and for the history of plant resources. Moreover, it provides the basis for knowledge of the relationships between plants and human cultures.

TEACHING METHODS

 Frontal lessons are given, for a number of  hours equivalent to 5.5 CFU  and practical laboratory exercises  (0.5 CFU) are carried out on the recognition and taxonomic attribution of micro-remains (pollen and spores) and charcoal remains (anthracology).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Teaching program

Definition of the matter of study; brief history of Archaeobotany; ecology as a constant reference; plant remnants as evidence of paleo-environments and human activities; sedimentation processes (taphonomy); preservation of plant remains; general sampling criteria; environmental archaeology; the archaeobotanical disciplines.
Palinology: Pollen and Spores: Nature, Morphology, Identification, Preservation, Sampling, Extraction, Pollen Analysis, Specimen Characteristics and Interpretation of pollen spectra and diagrams, Relationships between Pollen Deposition and Vegetation, Human Activity Indicators.
Xylology and Dendrology: Principles and Applications; Identification of wood on anatomical bases; Applications in archaeology, dendrochronology, dendroclimatology and radiocarbon age calibration.
Anthracology: charcoal: nature, characteristics, archaeological interest; taxonomic identification on anatomical bases; Sampling in different contexts; Anthracological analysis: the origin of charcoal and its meaning;  anthracological spectra and diagrams.
Carpology: seeds, fruits and other macroremains; sampling and extraction; flotation; identification; Interpretation of results (ecology, nutrition, agriculture, trade).
Fitoliths: nature and characteristics; extraction and identification; paleoenvironmental and palethnobotanic meaning.
Current flora and vegetation as sources for the environmental history: evidence of the use of plant resources in living species and plant communities.
Case studies of archaeobotany and of environmental archaeology: anthraology in medieval sites of northern Italy; the production of charcoal; the charcoal burning sites.
Other information: the course includes some practical exercises regarding the topics dealt with and sometimes also seminars organized by LASA. Further information and bibliographical details will be provided during the lessons. The presentations used for the lessons are available at the Aulaweb web site of the Humanities School.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Caneva G. (Ed.), 2005 – La Biologia vegetale per i Beni culturali. Vol. II. Conoscenza e valorizzazione (capitoli I, III,VIII, X). Nardini Editore. Firenze.
- Arobba D. e Caramiello R. (a cura di), 2003 – Manuale di Archeobotanica. Franco Angeli Editore. Milano.
- Bourquin-Mignot C., Brochier J.E., Chabal L.- Crozat S., Fabre L., Guibal F., Marinval P., Richard H., Terral J.-F., Rhery I., 1999 – La Botanique. Collection “Archeologiques”. Editions Errance. Paris.